Everybody Glad 'Deem and Pass' Is Dead

After a furious fight, Democrats are abandoning the little-liked idea of using a procedural tactic called "deem and pass" to pass health care reform. For very different reasons, pundits on the left and right are welcoming the decision.

No Need for Tactic Paul at conservative Powerline writes "I think this means one of two things: (1) Pelosi has the votes to pass the Senate version or (2) she has concluded that there are no extra votes to be gained through "deem and pass."

Shows Reform Will Pass Doug Mataconis of Below the Beltway interprets the move as a certain sign that reform will pass on Sunday. He explains, "they would not be doing this at all if there was any real doubt in their mind that they’d win the vote...At this point, I fully expect the bill to pass tomorrow."

Good for Constitution, Bad for RepublicansDaniel Foster at National Review says dropping "deem and pass" is "good news for the Constitution" and good government. But as an opponent of reform, he's worried that the Democrat decision will be viewed as "positively statesmanlike."

Republicans' Wasted OutrageJonathan Chait of The New Republic welcomes the move. He agrees with Daniel Foster that Republicans "wasted several days worth of ginned-up outrage" over a tactic that wasn't their real objection to reform. He disagrees with Foster's insinuation that this last-minute switch was Democrats' plan all along.

Two WordsJonathan Cohn of liberal The New Republic reports the news and simply states, "Good move."

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